A media guide is provided for use in printer. Media guide includes main body portion having internal bore configured to be disposed around media spindle and guide member connected to main body portion. Guide member is configured to extend outwardly from main body portion to extended position and to retract toward main body portion to collapsed position. Method for using media guide is also provided. Media guide is disposed on media spindle such that media spindle extends through internal bore of main body portion and is positioned and locked at selected position along length of media spindle. When media roll is disposed on media spindle, guide member is extended to extended position. When media roll is configured to be one of loaded onto or unloaded from media spindle, guide member is retracted to collapsed position.